Bernardo de Galvez gave aid to colonistsThe Revolutionary War found the American colonies in a desperate struggle for independence against one of the great superpowers of the 18th century, the British Empire. America found help in unexpected places. What turned out to be some of its most important foreign aid came from half a continent away from a largely unknown provincial Spanish governor, Bernardo de Galvez. Galvez served as governor of Spanish Louisiana, an area that included Ar...

Uncle Freddy-boy's new toyMy husband's favorite aunt was his mother's oldest sister, Arrah. This aunt was married to Fred Culver, affectionately known as Freddy-Boy. Unable to have children of their own, all the nieces and nephews became like grandchildren to them. Freddy-Boy was a great story teller. The kids would gather around him to hear his tales about life in the early 1900s. He told of growing up on the farm near the 'big river' in North Louisiana. This particul...

The accomplishments of John McClellan, part 2In 1943, at the age of 46, John L. McClellan became the newest Senator to represent Arkansas. Over the space of 35 years, McClellan would leave an influential legacy on Arkansas and the nation. McClellan’s concerns covered many topics. He was known for his attention for detail and desire to find the facts, no matter what. In his years chairing various Senate committees, he conducted more in-depth investigations than anyone else in the Senate. ...

Standing up for StandridgeI want to give some praise for a great man such as Greg Standridge. His fine qualities are more than I can mention, but here are a few. First, he is a Godly man with a wonderful Christian family. He is highly intelligent, honest, dependable, caring, fine integrity, kind and loving. I could go on and on. Greg Standridge would do the "right thing" in any circumstance -- out of a pure heart. Is he qualified as a Senator? You bet! He loves his cou...

After the flood, 'a tender branch'In my last column, I told you about our 1998 flood and how we weren't prepared. But God was. By nothing less than a miracle we were led to the house of our dreams, one we'd always admired because of its uniqueness. It was located atop the bluff and built on steel supports that suspended it into the tree tops and out over the bluff. From its wraparound decks we could see for almost 20 miles. Townspeople referred to it as the "Tree House." The f...

Telling a house goodbye: Part 1In recent weeks, television news has showed the devastation caused by floods in California and along the Gulf Coast. My heart and prayers go out to these victims of destruction. You see, I know well the nightmare they are living ... and what they are facing in the future because Freemon and I have walked in their shoes. After retiring from Houston in 1996 we moved to La Grange, Texas, to a house fronting the Colorado River and backing to the F...

The myriad roles of Arthur HunnicuttSome actors become famous starring in blockbuster movies or may only be famous for one line or one part. Sometimes the actors who rarely play the leading role are the ones who make a movie the most enjoyable part of the story. Arkansas native and character actor Arthur Hunnicutt was one such actor, known for his supporting roles in dozens of westerns between the 1940s and 1970s, starring with some of the most famous actors of the era. Arthur L...

Letter to the editor: Healthcare replacementAbout the only way I know to lower the cost of health insurance for those willing and able to buy it is to let people die on the curb in front of the hospital. Yep, give up your humanity and you too can save on health insurance. If you opt for humanity and take that person into the hospital, it will cost you, and likely cost you a lot. That person without health insurance will incur costs which the hospital must absorb. The only way for a hosp...

THE SEASON magazine still availableRelive the Russellville Cyclone football teams historic 2016 6A State Championship victory with your keepsake copy of The Season magazine. Included in the 64-page publication are recap game stories for each game along with stats and photos from the entire season. If you're a Cyclone fan you don't want to miss the chance to have this keepsake. Extra copies are available at The Courier office, 201 E. 2nd St. Russellville Out of town? Call (479)-...

Dr. Mamie Clark helped defeat segregationIn the years after the first segregation laws were passed in Arkansas and across the South, the effects of the daily humiliations were steadily increasing. Civil rights activists steadily fought these inequalities in court but needed more scientific evidence and statistics to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt what the effects of segregation really were to even the most obstinate judges. One Arkansas psychologist, Dr. Mamie Clark, helped provide...

John Tillman: Senator during turbulent timesThe 1890s were the beginning of a new and difficult chapter in Arkansas History. Race, which had long been an undercurrent in the social and political history of the state, emerged as an issue once again as a new series of segregation laws were proposed in the legislature with the sole purpose of separating and subjugating African-Americans. The result would usher in a new era of oppression for many that lasted decades in the state. In the 189...

Senators, leave us alone!Senators, leave us alone! What is wrong with our elected representatives in Little Rock? Why are they so obsessed with our bodies and our private lives? Isn't there enough work that needs to be done in this state without them messing with us? Arkansas has a real problem with food insecurity, one of the highest in the nation. Arkansas has a real problem with making sure the children are educated; all of the children. Arkansas has a real problem...

SNAP ChallengeMy family spent the last week living on the average food stamp (aka SNAP) budget, $4.20 per person per day. For us, that total budget was $68.60. Our goal for the week was two-fold. We wanted to see if it was possible to eat healthy on this budget, as has been proposed in our current legislature, and we wanted to bring awareness to what it’s like for families served by River Valley Food 4 Kids. To say that the week was challenging would be an ...

The squeaky wheelI've heard the phrase, "The squeaky wheel is the one that gets the oil." Now, I am a gentle person not given to confrontation. But back me into a corner and well just read the following. The most memorable time I "squeaked" was in Houston in 1972. We purchased our very first new car but had to return it the following week (driving over 40 miles round trip to the dealership) because of a faulty radio. Our salesman, J.B., could not have been nic...

Arkansas' Augustus Garland: rebuilding after the war, Part IIThe Civil War was over, but now Arkansas and Augustus Hill Garland had many decisions to make about the future. Like the land his family adopted, Garland had a promising future but lost everything with the end of the war and had to rebuild. Garland, who had spent several years building a successful law practice in Little Rock in the 1850s, had risen to become a Confederate congressman and senator during the war. As the Confederacy collapsed, h...

Letter to the Editor: An Alarming TrendAm I the only one that sees a problem with the city of Russellville’s huge tax and spend habits? It seems as if we keep putting millions of dollars into projects and not getting much out them. For me it all started when over $3 million was spent on the famous “North El Paso Corridor” With a bike lane and a walking lane on both sides and all the bells and whistles and lights you can buy, it’s still a little used road to the ATU football field. ...

Two valentine hearts"When I give my heart / it will be completely / or I'll never give my heart..." --"When I Fall In Love" by Heyan and Young Happy Valentine's Day! Today I am celebrating by writing my own parents' love story from almost 100 years ago. Mama was born in Eagle Mills, Ark., where her Papa worked for the Rock Island Railroad line. They moved to a small house in Carthage (Dallas County) in 1912. Her mother birthed nine children and Mama was third fro...